Fort Collins police use flash grenade to end 3-hour standoff

Feb. 11, 2013

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A woman and two young children are safe after a three-hour standoff ended Monday when their suspected captor was taken into police custody.

Shortly before 4 p.m., police responding to a reported hostage situation on the 800 block of Tyler Street used a diversionary device — a flash grenade — to disorient a male suspect who allegedly kept the woman and children in the house against their will. A loud concussion echoed through the neighborhood, and the standoff ended in short order. No gunshots were fired.

The woman was able to escape the house with an infant, while police rescued a toddler and took the suspect into custody. Police have not yet released the suspect’s identity.

Officers responded to a reported domestic disturbance that had turned physical at the residence around 12:45 p.m. A neighbor reported hearing a woman screaming and seeing her run from the house before a man dragged her inside, according to Fort Collins police spokeswoman Rita Davis.

When police approached the home, it was silent. Attempts by police to communicate with the suspect were fruitless. The SWAT team was summoned and surrounded the house.

Davis said the suspect is believed to be a 38-year-old man who lived at the home and has a criminal history that includes domestic violence, menacing and assault.

Interviews with the suspect and others involved in the situation were being conducted Monday evening to determine what charges could be filed. Harassment, assault, domestic violence and false imprisonment or kidnapping were among the possibilities, according to Davis.

Streets around the residence, including West Plum Street and Orchard Place, were blocked off by emergency responders, who turned away some residents of the area as they tried to come home. Reverse 911 calls to people who live in the neighborhood warned them to stay inside.